On January 28, 2025 at 4:30 p.m., members of Student Senate introduced new plans and concerns for the upcoming spring semester. Senate President, senior Andrea Sandoval, welcomed everyone back for the new year and conducted the swearing in of new Senate members before opening the floor to Assistant Director of Advancement Services, Nicholas Crivaro, to discuss the Foundation Scholarships.

Foundation Scholarships are now available and accepting applications on the Stockton University website until March 20. Applications are submitted to any scholarships and are one and done — around 50% of applicants receive a scholarship, and the amount any student receives is not limited to one. For inquiries or questions, please visit K-204, or the Office of Alumni Affairs. 

The next topic of discussion addressed meal plan concerns. Student affairs chair Tiana Rosario acknowledged that many students have been expressing concern about the recent ABC format of the meal plans. Any issues can be addressed to stockton.senate@stockton.edu, as another meeting will be held in February regarding these changes. Students can also expect this semester to celebrate spirit weeks, Black History Month celebrations including the flag raising on February 4, new lounge areas in F009 that can be reserved, and a new meditation room that is under construction. 

The meeting shifted gears to Government affairs chair, Garrett Testut, who proposed his resolution to prohibit the use of mylar balloons on campus. As Stockton University takes initiative to commit to sustainability and being ecologically friendly, students and environmental clubs on campus such as Stockton Action Volunteers for the Environment (S.A.V.E) have expressed the dangers of mylar balloons. These balloons are non-recyclable, non-biodegradable, cause mass amounts of pollution, and are a risk to marine and terrestrial wildlife. Testut states, “Stockton wants to be a green university….and there is no better way to take an environmental initiative.” His resolution hopes to encourage the campus to not use mylar balloons for events, and implement more restrictions around their use to keep the surrounding forestry and water safe and clean. Once the floor opened to public comments, S.A.V.E Co-Director, Jessica Birtwistle, voiced her support for the ban with the advocacy of other members. 

The Student Senate will have their next full public meeting on February 25 in the Townsend Res. Life Center beginning at 4:30pm. Students are encouraged to attend if they have any comments, concerns, or want to be aware of current affairs happening in residential life.